Antique English Edwardian silver plated three piece tea set. The set consists of a tea pot, a cream jug & a sugar bowl. Each piece is of plain oval form with relief fluted decoration around the outside & raised on a pedestal base. The teapot has a black eboniesd wooden harp shaped lifting handle on one side, a swan neck pouring spout on the other side. There is a black ebonised wooded finial on a hinged lid on the top. The sugar bowl has a scrolled lifting handle on each side & the cream jug has a matching handle & pouring spout. Each piece marked on the underside with the makers mark. Lovely fully usable collectors item.
 
Maker
Roberts & Belk
The firm was established as Furniss, Poles & Turner. The first hallmark was entered in Sheffield Assay Office as "plate worker, Furnival Street, Sheffield" on December 20, 1810.
From c.1822 to 1945 the firm traded as William Briggs (hallmark entered as Plate Worker, Button Lane on August 14, 1822).
Later William Briggs entered in partnership with Samuel Roberts and Joseph Slater. In 1845 the firm, trading as Roberts & Slater, silver and electroplate manufacturers, entered its hallmark in Sheffield Assay Office (September 1, 1845. Address: Furnival Street).
After the retirement of Joseph Slater (1858) the activity was continued until 1863 under the style Roberts & Briggs (hallmark entered on September 1, 1859).
In 1863, after the retirement of William Briggs, the firm changed to Roberts & Belk (the new partner was Charles Belk). Its first hallmarks were entered in Sheffield Assay Office on February 1, 1864.
In 1879, after the retirement of Samuel Roberts, the activity was continued solely by Charles Belk maintaining the style Roberts & Belk.
Besides the Sheffield factory, the firms were active also in London, with showrooms at 28 Ely Place, Holborn (1858) and later at Gresham House, 24 Holborn Viaduct (1883).
In 1901 the firm became Roberts & Belk Ltd and in 1961 was bought by C.J. Vander Ltd. 
 
 
Weight
1089 grams (total)
 
Dimensions
Teapot: - 254mm x 120mm x 168mm
 
Condition.
Excellent condition with light surface marks that are consistent with genuine age, use & polishing.